Electrophoresis Equipment

Gel electrophoresis, perhaps one of the earliest techniques a laboratory biologist may learn, is a standard yet important application. Electrophoresis systems apply an electric field to fragments of nucleic acids or proteins, facilitating their migration on a gel matrix where they are separated by size or charge. Shorter molecules move faster and travel further on the gel than larger molecules. After the duration of the run, the separation can be visualized as a spectrum of bands using transilluminators and gel imagers. Agarose gel is generally used to separate DNA and RNA, whereas proteins, which are too large to fit through agarose, are often separated using polyacrylamide gels. Electrophoresis is both an analytical and preparative technique, as it also serves as a precursor to blotting applications, such as Western, Northern, and Southern blots. Listed in this guide are examples of electrophoresis equipment from trusted manufacturers.

Examples of Electrophoresis Equipment

• Horizontal Electrophoresis Systems - As the name implies, these systems carry out electrophoretic separation on a horizontally-oriented gel slab. This setup is for fully submerged gels in a continuous buffer system that is typically used in DNA and RNA gel electrophoresis.
• Vertical Electrophoresis Systems - These systems orient a gel in a vertical position, which can allow for gel electrophoresis in a discontinuous buffer system. This is ideal in protein polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) which, unlike agarose gels, utilizes distinct stacking and resolving gel sections.
• Capillary Electrophoresis Systems - Using capillaries, these specialized systems efficiently separate molecular substances based on size and charge to yield high-resolution separation data.
• Isoelectric Focusing Systems - IEF systems cause individual polypeptides to migrate until they reach a pH value that matches their isoelectric point (pI). This method is often used to distinguish protein isoforms and antibody variants.
• Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis Systems - PFGE systems use an electric field that periodically changes direction, causing large DNA molecules to move in a zigzag pattern. This allows for the separation of very large DNA fragments reaching up to 10 Mb in size.
• Gel Documentation Systems - Also known as 'gel docs' or 'gel imagers,' these imaging instruments are used to record and analyze the results of gel electrophoresis and membrane blotting experiments. These systems can range from simple UV transilluminators to more advanced imagers with chemiluminescent and fluorescent imaging modalities.

The choice of electrophoresis equipment depends on the molecule of study, appropriate method of separation and downstream application. Some systems can accommodate large sized gels or allow for multiple gels be run simultaneously. These features may be ideal for labs that routinely process many samples. Also look for user-friendly, upgradable equipment, customizable options, and reliable technical support. Discover and compare different electrophoresis systems and submit a quote to receive information directly from the manufacturer.